The latest SpaceX Crew-9 mission took an amusing turn when the astronauts docked at the International Space Station (ISS) on Sunday. As they entered the station, they were greeted not only by their colleagues but also by what appeared to be an “alien.”

NASA astronaut Nick Hague lightened the mood by donning a grey alien mask while welcoming the newcomers. The moment was captured during the live broadcast, quickly sparking online discussions.

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A Unique Space Welcome

The Crew-9 astronauts—Anne McClain, Nichole Ayers, Japanese astronaut Takuya Onishi, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov—arrived at the ISS to relieve Crew-9 members, who are set to return to Earth soon. While other astronauts were busy assisting the new arrivals, Hague wandered around in his alien mask, occasionally pointing at objects just outside the camera’s view.

The lighthearted stunt added a touch of humor to the high-stakes mission. Hague’s playful moment stood in contrast to the serious work that lies ahead for the newly arrived astronauts.

NASA’s Stuck Astronauts Await Return

As Crew-9 settles into their new roles, astronauts Sunita “Suni” Williams and Butch Wilmore, who have been stranded on the ISS since June 2024 due to Boeing Starliner technical issues, are still awaiting a return date. Their departure was initially scheduled just days after their arrival but has been delayed multiple times due to spacecraft complications and emergency evacuation shortages.

Netizens React to the ‘Alien’ Prank

Hague’s mask quickly became the highlight of the docking event, with many social media users reacting to the unexpected appearance.

  • One user on X (formerly Twitter) joked, “The dude with the alien mask though.”
  • Another asked, “So nobody noticed the Alien in the room?!”
  • A third user playfully speculated, “Why is no one talking about NASA’s secret alien program?”

While Hague’s joke entertained viewers, it also reignited humorous conspiracy theories about extraterrestrial life in space.

Conclusion

SpaceX’s latest ISS mission may be routine, but Nick Hague’s prank proved that even in space, humor has its place. As Crew-9 settles in, all eyes remain on the fate of the stranded astronauts, eagerly awaiting their long-overdue return to Earth.